Melly Sews

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Draped Colorblock T-shirt (with free pattern!)

by 31 Comments

Draped Colorblock T-shirt with free pattern by Melly Sews



As I've gone from full-time teacher to stay/work at home mom this year, it has come to my attention that my wardrobe is...lacking. So today I'm going to show you how I started to remedy that with a colorblock t-shirt tutorial and pattern.

I mean, I had the dress pants or skirt/work shirt look down, and now I'm feeling a little lost. So I did what any sane person would do to get wardrobe inspiration - I started pinning, of course!

This shirt caught my eye - source: sheinside.com

Except I didn't like the colors - the white stripe looks a little too much like a pageant sash to me. But I like the draping - especially since I have not been able to get rid of the extra skin around the tummy since I had Bean. My weight is the same, but there's this stubborn muffin top that I am too busy to attack. And so I find myself wearing lots of looser items than I did pre-baby.

At any rate, I made this colorblocked t-shirt to try to cut into my prodigious knit stash and help with my wardrobe issues. Seriously, it's getting a little out of hand. Like I may have to have a thrifted t-shirt intervention. And that's not even counting the knit yardage - which this all came from. And I might have just bought some more knit at Joann yesterday.
Hi, I'm Melissa and I'm addicted to knit fabric...
Want to make your own?  You'll need:
  • 2/3 yard of main color knit fabric
  • 1/2 yard of each contrast color knit fabric
  • The pattern...
The pattern is a women's size small, and as you can see from the pictures it's a little drapey and loose. For reference, my current measurements are 34" Bust and 36" hips. If you need to make the pattern bigger or smaller, check out this post.

To get it, click your preferred option below to get the free pattern only as a newsletter subscriber, or to buy the digital pattern + printable instructions for $2.

Please note that all my free patterns are licensed for personal use only (no selling items made from this unless you purchase it) and by downloading you are agreeing to this license.

When you print, make sure you use Adobe Reader, make sure to check "Auto rotate and center" and make sure "Scaling" is set to NONE.
This is sewn with 1/2" seam allowances throughout.
If you want to create a bigger size, I'd reduce side seam allowances (reducing to 1/4" seams will get you another inch all around) and/or add some width to the center back and slash and spread the front pieces.
Oh, also, remember I'm short. The final back/neck length of this pattern is like 24 inches.
I'm assuming you know how to assemble a basic t-shirt; or that if you don't you do know how to google. So all I'm going to show you is how to assemble the colorblocked front.
Lay out the front pieces like this:
Sew them together using a narrow zig-zag and 1/2" seams. I didn't serge because I felt that would be too bulky. Trim seams to 1/4".

It should look like this when the front is done

If there are any wonky bits on the side edges where the seams didn't quite match right, just trim.

You'll notice the front is quite a bit wider than the back. That's what gives it its drape. Assemble as normal, matching shoulders, inserting sleeves, and sewing down the underarms and sides.

I left to edges unfinished - no hemming necessary since I was using interlock. If you use jersey and it rolls and you don't like that look, you could add a narrow hem.

And that's it!

It looks a little different on me than Molly because that wench adopted instead of birthing her baby mannequin, so she doesn't have the muffin top and her boobs are all perky. And she likes to rub that in.

But I think this particular top actually looks better on me than her. Take that, wench!

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Comments

  2. pintucks says

    Love this post, and not just because you totally made fun of your dress form (though HAH!!! Love it.)

    The shirt is adorable – might have to try this!!! Thanks for the pattern!

    Christy.

    Reply

  3. the momma (aka Shannon) says

    gorgeous! and seriously girl…there’s nothing you need to worry about on that figure! 😉

    Reply

  9. immerBeginner says

    Awesome! I’ve been trying to find a way to refashion all of those shirts that are a little too short, and this by far is the best – the cut, the color-block, the whole thing! Thanks very much for sharing, especially with the pattern; truly appreciate it!!

    Reply

  13. Cassandra says

    I love this… definitely have to give it a go, with the weather warming up here in Australia, I’ve been thinking about making some new tops just for me. Thank you 🙂

    Reply

  18. UCCWOODBURY says

    Might be a strange question because it is unrelated to the shirt, but I really like your jeans. What kind/brand are they? They look great on you btw. I am short also so it is nice to find jeans I don’t have to hem

    Reply

  26. Lettetia says

    Lovely! Thank you for the inspiration. I have just the perfect colors to make one for myself.

    Reply

  28. Paola says

    Hi! I have just finished my colorblock t-shirt using your pattern and it looks great! Thank you for sharing it.

    Reply

  30. Bronte says

    I’m prepping my pattern for slashing and spreading, so I can add length and do an FBA. The two bottom colour blocks say to “cut 1 on fold”, the two top colour blocks, just “cut 1”. Looking at it, it seems that the “Cut 1” would be the correct instruction. I’m still at the paper stage, so I have time to figure this out.

    Thanks

    Reply

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